Getting confused

[Ewilson]

Ok so using my salifert test kits I tested my tank for cal and alk

Cal 480
Alk 7.7

Tested a new batch of saltwater for a water change (reef crystals) and this is what I got

Cal 500+ (emptied the syringe) and it tested that twice
Alk 13.1 (tested twice)

This isnt normal, could it be a bad batch of salt? I dont have another test kit to compare against

 

[JOKER]

That looks normal for reef crystals to me.

 

[Ewilson]

That looks normal for reef crystals to me.

dang really?

 

[Reeferdood]

Yup, it is normal but unless you are doing a 100% change it will be fine...
BTW, your Parameters are outa whack now...
Ca is too high and Alk is too low...

 

[JOKER]

In my experience it mixes that high. IO usually comes out around 7-8 and 450-470

 

[JOKER]

420-450 calcium sorry was watching tv and typing.

 

[Ewilson]

Im gonna start dosing for alk soon, 7.7 is on the low side but in the acceptable range until I can start dosing

 

[Ewilson]

Tested water after water change

Ca 460
Alk 9.9

 

[spidercrab]

Thats a pretty big jump from just a water change.

 

[Reeferdood]

Tested water after water change

Ca 460
Alk 9.9

That is good...

 

[Ewilson]

Thats a pretty big jump from just a water change.

The first test was on 11/9 but i only have 4 corals and I dont think my alk demand is that high. Ill keep testing every day and see what happens

 

[Waters]

I actually switched salts for that reason....I was keeping a LNS and the Reef Crystals kept the ALK way too high. I ended up losing some SPS.

 

[Ewilson]

I actually switched salts for that reason....I was keeping a LNS and the Reef Crystals kept the ALK way too high. I ended up losing some SPS.

What salt did you switch to

 

[reeferfoxx]

What salt did you switch to

I've noticed a lot of members that used RC switched to Red sea pro, with success. Personally I like to use salt mix with low alk so I can dose to where I would like my numbers. My preference is Tropic Marin Pro Reef.

FWIW RC isn't bad. In fact it can be a cheaper alternative to dosing.

 

[Ewilson]

Id like to keep my alk around 9 and after a wc last night it was 9.9 so ill test again to see how much it drops

 

[spidercrab]

I like instant ocean. It's low parameters and cheap

 

[reeferfoxx]

Id like to keep my alk around 9 and after a wc last night it was 9.9 so ill test again to see how much it drops

@Randy Holmes-Farley is an advocate for RC. Maybe he can provide a good math equation to help maintain parameters. Though, mixes can produce different results, you may have to test fresh mixed water for every water change. It is a good habit to do anyway.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If the tank is at 7.7 dKH and you do a 10% change with 13 dKH water, the alk will jump to 8.2 dKH.

So maybe do water changes on that order.

 

[Ewilson]

If the tank is at 7.7 dKH and you do a 10% change with 13 dKH water, the alk will jump to 8.2 dKH.

So maybe do water changes on that order.

Im guessing I messed up somewhere when I got the 7.7 reading, ill keep testing the tank till I get more consistent readings and then i can figure out a dosing regimen and go from there

 

[Waters]

What salt did you switch to

I switched to Red Sea Blue which mixes at an ALK of 8.2....it is actually designed for a LNS.